Synonyms of breakthrough

breakthrough

noun

ˈbrāk-ˌthrü 

as in improvement

an instance of notable progress in the development of knowledge, technology, or skill

Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin was one of medicine's great breakthroughs, for penicillin became the first antibiotic to successfully combat bacterial infections in humans

Synonyms & Similar Words

• improvement
• advance
• advancement
• enhancement
• development
• innovation
• discovery
• refinement
• evolution
• increase
• upturn
• upswing
• revival
• amelioration
• strengthening
• maturation
• enlightenment
• growth
• betterment
• find
• renaissance
• education
• boost
• expansion
• quantum leap
• uplift
• windfall
• gestation
• ripening
• elaboration
• civilization
• melioration
• upgrade
• perfection
• heightening
• edification
• uptrend
• renascence
• invention

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• setback
• breakdown
• collapse
• crash
• reduction
• impediment
• hindrance
• decrease
• failing
• decline
• deterioration
• stumbling block
• worsening
• lapse
• weakening
• decay
• degeneration
• sinking
• impairment
• descent
• drawback
• shortcoming
• slowing
• lessening
• decadence
• downgrade
• detriment
• glitch
• declension
• diminishment
• disablement
• flagging
• languishment
• ebbing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of breakthrough

The track continues a partnership that began on Lamar’s 2010 mixtape Overly Dedicated, long before either artist’s mainstream breakthrough. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 11 Sep. 2026

China’s Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) has achieved a significant breakthrough in astronomy. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026

Every television critic’s poster girl for Emmy negligence before her eventual Better Call Saul breakthrough, Seehorn should be the easiest pick on the ballot. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

How much tactile data will be required for breakthroughs in dexterous tasks remains unclear. — IEEE Spectrum, 10 Sep. 2026